French-Lebanese linked to Sarkozy probe released in Lebanon
Lebanon’s prosecutor general has ordered the release of a Lebanese-French businessman linked to the probe of alleged illegal funding of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's election campaign more than a decade ago
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lebanon's prosecutor general on Monday ordered the release of a Lebanese-French businessman linked to the probe of alleged illegal funding of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy s election campaign more than a decade ago.
Ziad Takieddine is wanted by France and was arrested in Lebanon on Friday, based on an Interpol notice. He was ordered released by Lebanon's prosecutor general, Ghassan Oweidat, but banned from traveling and his passport was confiscated. It's unclear if Takieddine is using a French or Lebanese passport when traveling.
Sarkozy has been under investigation since 2013 for alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the regime of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Takieddine, the main accuser in the case, initially said he personally delivered suitcases from Libya containing 5 million euros ($6.2 million) in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff.
But last month, Takieddine — four years after his accusations were made public in French media — told French BFM TV, speaking from Lebanon, that “it's not true. ... there was no financing of Sarkozy presidential campaign.”
He did not elaborate and it was not immediately clear why Takieddine changed his story. But his public comments prompted Sarkozy to ask investigators to drop the charges against him and vowed to sue Takieddine for defamation.
Investigators are examining claims that Gadhafi’s regime secretly gave Sarkozy a total of 50 million euros in the 2007 French campaign. The sum would be more than double the legal campaign funding limit at the time — 21 million euros — and would violate French rules against foreign campaign financing.
Takieddine is reported to be an arms dealer between France and several Middle Eastern countries. He fled France after he was sentenced earlier this year for receiving illegal commissions in arms deals with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in 1994, a case known as the “Karachi Affair.”
Sarkozy is currently on trial, facing unrelated corruption charges in France.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.